Mangino, Jayhawks circle wagons

Wednesday

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Mark Mangino stepped to the lectern at noon sharp yesterday and betrayed little trace of a man possibly preparing for his final game at Kansas.

Saturday

Missouri vs. Kansas, 2:30 p.m. (KMIZ)

The embattled coach began his weekly media briefing at the Anderson Family Football Complex by announcing his “players of the game” from the Jayhawks’ 51-20 loss at Texas, their sixth straight defeat. He spoke of a “very exciting week” leading up to Saturday’s game against Missouri. And he declared the atmosphere “business as usual.”

Then began the questions.

In a week shrouded by the uncertain status of Mangino, talk of the Border War has been replaced by inquiries into the Civil War gathering force in Kansas’ athletic department.

The Jayhawks (5-6, 1-6 Big 12) insist they remain focused on Missouri. Win, and KU would become bowl eligible for the fifth straight season.

“This is our Super Bowl right now,” senior defensive back Justin Thornton said. “This is for all the marbles. Everything’s on the line.”

But yesterday, as the saga surrounding an athletic department investigation into allegations of physical and verbal abuse by Mangino entered its second week, the afternoon evolved into a de facto rally. Players came to their coach’s defense while Mangino said he remained committed to Kansas.

“I’m going full speed ahead,” he said.

Asked if he wanted to be back at Kansas next season, Mangino responded firmly.

“Hey, I’m coaching,” he said. “I believe in my players. I believe in this program. We’ve got a lot of hard work invested here. … Me, personally, I’ve put every waking moment of my life since I got hired here into this football program. To be quite honest with you, when I’m not at work, I’m still at work. This job for me has been something that I’ve put my heart and soul into.”

He spoke of receiving “overwhelming support” from current and former players, coaches and fans.

“There have been so many e-mails and phone calls and text messages in the last week to me, my family, my staff,” Mangino said. “A lot of parents have contacted the office. My only regret is right now I’m focused on Missouri and I can’t return all those messages. But I will.”

He added: “I could stand up here and rattle names off for an hour. So I think I’m appreciated by a lot of people. I really do believe that. I just don’t know who everybody is who appreciates my work.”

Mangino’s thinly veiled remarks referred to Athletic Director Lew Perkins, who met with KU players last week after launching an internal investigation of Mangino’s coaching methods. The probe, led by assistant athletic director Lori Williams, stems from an October incident in which Mangino allegedly berated and poked his finger in the chest of senior linebacker Arist Wright.

Many of Mangino’s former players have since come forward, casting him on a spectrum ranging from mean-spirited tyrant to hard-edged, but respected, leader. Several Big 12 coaches offered their support Monday, while KU’s current players have publicly done the same.

If KU chooses to try, at stake will be about $6.6 million. Mangino, who signed an extension through 2012 after leading the Jayhawks to a 12-1 record and an Orange Bowl victory in 2007, could be owed the entire sum if he is fired without cause. If Kansas’ investigation finds evidence to terminate him with cause, Mangino wouldn’t be guaranteed anything. A settlement could also be reached to avoid a prolonged legal battle.

For now, however, Mangino clings to the same purposeful routine he has for the past eight seasons.

His players try to follow the coach’s lead.

“When adversity shows its face, we look to him for guidance,” senior safety Darrell Stuckey said. “We look to him to see how he reacts, and the way he’s handled everything has been inspirational to us. To see him go out there and be mentally tough — everything he’s preached to us about being mentally tough, to see him live it out, it means a lot.”

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